"Their salaries may be a few months late, but for many months they are getting paid regularly. They are being paid salaries regularly for the past five-six months. They are being paid every month now," Ajit Singh said.

On October 6, the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) - an association of erstwhile Indian Airlines pilots - wrote to Singh: "We wish to draw your attention to the fact that matters at the AI are not too different from that at Kingfisher Airlines. Our salaries and flying allowances too are pending for months and the uncertainty regarding the schedule of payments has become unbearable."

"Financial stress can also negatively, even severely, impact things outside of one's wallet: one's health, one's performance in the job and relationships at home."

Denying that he had received any letter from the pilots, the civil aviation minister said: "I have not received any letter from the pilots or anyone from the AI. The August salaries have been paid to the employees of the Air India."

In a separate development, talks between Kingfisher Airlines pilots and management failed to make any headway. The two sides met in Delhi on Monday.

"All that the company is ready to offer is March salary to employees who haven't been paid. They have offered to pay October salary by November 7 but remain non-committal on six months' salary which is due," a pilot said.